Immuno Ophthalmology

Although considerable light has been shed on the mechanisms of ocular immunity over the past 20 years, a complete understanding still eludes our grasp. To many ophthalmologists immunology itself is a comparatively new field. This volume will bring the latest findings in immunological research and the resulting new therapy methods to the ophthalmologist in practice. The scope of the topics goes from general principles of immuno-ophthalmology to more specific ones such as immunology of corneal transplantation or immune regulation of uveoretinal inflammation. With its broad scope of contributions, this publication will not only be significant to the ophthalmologist, but also to pediatricians, specialists in internal medicine as well as dermatologists confronted with eye diseases.

This selection of articles from the Encyclopedia of the Eye provides a comprehensive overview of immunological features, diseases and inflammation of the eye and its support structures and organs. Rather than taking an immunological focus that is strictly suitable for clinicians, the volume offers a considerable basic science background and addresses a broad range of topics - the immune system of the eye, its various disorders, mechanisms of inflammation of the eye and visual system, treatment, wound healing mechanisms, stem cells, and more. The first single volume to integrate comparative studies into a comprehensive resource on the neuroscience of ocular immunology Chapters are carefully selected from the Encyclopedia of the Eye by the world's leading vision researchers The best researchers in the field provide their conclusions in the context of the latest experimental results

Indispensable for continuous education and advanced training All editors with international reputation and contributing authors with great expertise in their topic Well-structured text and design, quick and easy to read Bridges the gap between primary literature and daily practice Every 2nd year each subject is covered with timely information about new developments in the specialised field

The eye can become involved in immune-mediated diseases that affect it alone or as part of a multi-organ disease process. Much immunological attention has been focused on other organs affected by these processes and the subject of the immunology of eye diseases is a relatively new one. Many of these diseases that involve the eye are not life-threatening but can result in devastat ing loss of sight that if bilateral, will have major effects on the patient's life. Systemic immunological investigations are generally unhelpful in these patients and one of the major problems in this field has been the lack of diseased tissue available for examination to determine the pathological processes involved. Our poor understanding of basic mechanisms of disease in the eye has meant that treatment of many of these conditions is often inadequate. It has become possible to apply in the eye many ofthe techniques used to investigate the role of the immune system in other systems. Animal models of many of the disease processes have also allowed dissection of the immune response both within and outside the eye. It is my belief that a greater understanding of the mechanisms by which the structures in the eye become damaged will allow more specific and effective therapeutic strategies to be devised.

Written as a practical guide for the diagnosis and treatment of uveitis, this text provides uveitis specialists, practicing ophthalmologists, ophthalmology residents and fellows with the appropriate diagnostic testing and evidenced-based therapeutic options for managing patients afflicted with these conditions. Written and edited by leaders in the fields of ophthalmology, rheumatology, internal medicine, infectious disease, and oncology, each chapter addresses the latest advances in the field: from the advent of PCR technology, intraocular depot steroid implants, neoplastic and infectious diseases masquerading as uveitis, and the use of systemic immunomoduatory therapies (including biologic agents/humanized monoclonal antibodies).

Provides detailed information about ocular immunity and the basis of ocular immune privilege, and elaborates on the role of immune effector mechanisms in specific ocular conditions. Offers a detailed overview of immune system function, discusses autoimmune diseases and allergic conditions affecting the eye and their treatment, reviews the immunology of corneal graft rejection, and discusses the immune system's role in ocular tumor elimination and corneal transplant. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

In this book, the physiologic bases of ocular immune privilege and the distinctive systemic immune responses elicited by eye derived antigens are described. Several chapters discuss the pathogeneses of these disorders which arise from infections, autoimmunity, and neoplasms. Finally, chapters devoted to corneal and retinal transplantation describe attempts to exploit ocular immune privilege to promote graft survival and thereby cure blindness. Ophthalmologists, both clinicians and physician scientists, general and tumor immunologists, transplantation biologists and anyone seeking to understand the immunopathogenic diseases that threaten vision will appreciate the information presented in this book.